2012 Observations: A.J. Cole made his 2nd start of the season on 4-13-2012. It was the first time I’d seem him pitch. He is thin, as his pants barely fit around his waist. It did seem like he got “bigger” the closer you got to him though. His warm-up routine is relaxed. Light stretching on the field 45-50 minn. before game time – followed by a very light throwing/long toss. Doesn’t extend his long toss very far……. but not too many guys crank it up pre-game like Trevor Bauer does.

I waited in the bullpen for Cole to resume his pre-game pitching – and got some great video because they allow fans to walk right up to both bullpens. This is when I felt like he got “bigger” to me. Doesn’t have much of a wind up – or a very long stride – but got the fastball up to 91-93 MPH during the game on the radar guns scouts were using behind home plate. When he throws his off-speed pitches his arm speed drops and the angle might change a hair. Those are all things he needs to work on. Players for the Modesto Nuts during the game were just sitting on the fastball. Cole will be able to overmatch some players at this level by just locating his plus fastball, but his overall career success will be determined with the secondary pitches he develops. The weather at the game was not ideal at all. Rain delayed the game for 20 minn. making for a short outing for A.J. Starting 2012, Cole is considered one of the top prospects in the A’s organization and was acquired in a trade with the Nationals for Gio Gonzalez. I should see a good many of Cole’s starts in 2012 if he remains with the Ports. Updated 4-14-2012